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Blindsided by Grace: Entering the World of Disability
An active pastor, husband, father, and triathlete, Robert F. Molsberry was left paraplegic following a near fatal hit and run accident in 1997. After a long period of recovery and rehabilitation, he has returned to an active life including family, ministry, and athletics. The book reflects on his experience of disability not as a medical condition in search of a cure, nor as a tragedy to be pitied, but as a cross-cultural adventure similar to learning to live in a foreign country. Molsberry also offers biblical and theological reflection that confronts the Bible's ancient worldview regarding disability rather than deserved punishment or opportunity for miraculous cure, he explores biblical texts that see disability as an occasion for radical hospitality and inclusion.
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 31, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 10, 2025
The bookI read was actually “The Blindside of Grace” which was not to be found on the website.
March 13, 2015
Local (Grinnell) pastor hit by a truck on Highway 6 while he was biking resulted in his paralysis and his on-going use of a wheel-chair and assorted bags for bodily waste.
This book discusses his reactions and efforts to deal with his new disability and the different culture in which he suddenly found himself. It has changed his way of looking at the world. He examines this issue from various perspectives.
A major point he makes is that there are variations in cultural norms about bodily features (e.g. scarring is abhorrent in some cultures, admired in others). The surrounding culture, amenities and response is often what makes a particular bodily feature disabling; it need not necessarily be disabling. (For example, what if a culture had people who were in the habit of carrying others: then having peripheral neuropathy or not having legs would not necessarily be disabling.) Also, what really is normality regarding disability? For example, we all have some form of what could be considered a disability (e.g. needing glasses to see well, fear of public speaking, alternative neurology such as autism or social ineptness).
He advocates thinking about this in terms of diversity along multiple continuums of ability.
[Iowa mention]
This book discusses his reactions and efforts to deal with his new disability and the different culture in which he suddenly found himself. It has changed his way of looking at the world. He examines this issue from various perspectives.
A major point he makes is that there are variations in cultural norms about bodily features (e.g. scarring is abhorrent in some cultures, admired in others). The surrounding culture, amenities and response is often what makes a particular bodily feature disabling; it need not necessarily be disabling. (For example, what if a culture had people who were in the habit of carrying others: then having peripheral neuropathy or not having legs would not necessarily be disabling.) Also, what really is normality regarding disability? For example, we all have some form of what could be considered a disability (e.g. needing glasses to see well, fear of public speaking, alternative neurology such as autism or social ineptness).
He advocates thinking about this in terms of diversity along multiple continuums of ability.
[Iowa mention]
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews